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Holiday markets, cooking classes and more of this week’s food and drink events

As noted in our updated column from last week, Rye‘s grand opening on the Plaza (4646 J.C. Nichols Parkway) has been moved to today. So go forth and get fried chicken, minus the drive to Leawood.

Tuesday, November 28

Bier Station (120 East Gregory Boulevard) is hosting Cinder Block Brewery today for a release party for Black Squirrel, a barrel-aged Russian imperial stout. From 3 to 11 p.m., Black Squirrel and several other of Cinder Block’s beers will be available, as well as a Black Squirrel–inspired cocktail, merch and more.

Alternately, you can try a beer dinner over at Hopcat (401 Westport Road), featuring Martin City Brewing Company. The five-beer, four-course menu is $30 a person (not including tax or gratuity) and begins at 6:30 p.m. A sample course: braised pork shank, served with autumn mashed potatoes and root vegetables, paired with Martin City’s Bourbon Barrel–Aged Abbey. Tickets are available via Eventbrite.

Thursday, November 30

A free course in fermented foods is available tonight at 7 at Green Acres Market (4175 North Mulberry Drive). Attendees will learn about the health benefits of fermented food, watch demos and take home samples.

For those looking to find ways to lighten up their holiday cooking, another kind of class is available at 6:30 p.m. at the Univeristy of Missouri’s Jackson County extension (105 East Fifth Street). Specifically, learn how to reduce fat and sugar content in your holiday recipes without sacrificing flavor. This course is $10, with tickets available via Eventbrite.

Friday, December 1

Voice your opinion in the brewing process today at Border Brewing Company (406 East 18th Street) during a “Brew4You” event. Sample a variety of different experimental beers made with assorted fruit purées from one of Border’s suppliers, and vote for which one Border should make in a larger run. The event runs from 4 to 11 p.m.

Tonight at Tower Tavern (401 East 31st Street), the Operation Breakthrough–benefiting Ugly Sweater Christmas Party begins at 8:30. For a $50 GA ticket, all-you-can-drink 4 Hands Brewing Company beer is available; a $75 VIP ticket additionally includes Tower Tavern appetizers, cocktails from Boozy Botanicals, and sweets from Insomnia Cookies and Donutology. More information and tickets are available via the party’s website.

Saturday, December 2

Up North, iWerx (1520 Clay Street) is hosting a Foodie Festival, which features both samples from area vendors as well as products for sale (a little for you, a little for me making an ideal Christmas shopping situation). Vendors represented include: Repeal 18th Bar and Bistro, Crane Brewing Company, the Brewkery (kombucha), Tasty Thai, Beacon Hill Gourmet, Borgman’s Farmstead Dairy, Thez Nuts, KC Fooditude, Soiree New Orleans Bistro, and more. Tickets are available for $5 in advance via the iWerx website or will be $10 at the door.

Out south, the Overland Park Farmer’s Market is hosting a special Indoor Holiday Market at Matt Ross Community Center (8101 Marty, Overland Park). Regular shoppers at the market will recognize most of the vendors. Produce, pasta, dairy, meat, pies, pastries and much more will be available from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Webster House (1644 Wyandotte) is offering a tempting wine dinner tonight featuring selections from the Prisoner Wine Company, of California. This five-course meal begins at 7 p.m. Among the menu’s offerings are a pork cheek with blistered-berry mole, mushroom, leek and potato (served with Thorn Merlot); and a dish of Nantucket Bay scallops, with preserved orange, maple, potato and brown butter cream (Blindfold White ’15). The dinner is $110, exclusive of tax or gratuity. For reservations, call 816-800-8820.

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